Gunners from the Gaza Strip fired two Qassam rockets at the western Negev Monday morning. According to Israeli press reports, one rocket struck an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev region, while the other went off inside a kibbutz in the Sdot Negev region. No injuries were reported in either incident, but the explosions apparently caused some property damage.
On Sunday, a rocket fired from Gaza went off in the Sdot Negev region causing no casualties or damage. Overnight between Friday and Saturday, a Grad rocket struck an open area in the Yavneh region.
Meanwhile, an Israeli political source said Sunday Israel could release Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghuti to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction before any prisoner swap with Hamas. According to AFP, outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is trying to negotiate a last-minute deal with Hamas under which Israel would free 1,000 or more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Barghuti's lawyer said on Sunday his release has never been closer. "We have never been closer to an agreement for the release of Marwan Barghuthi," lawyer Khader Shkirat told the privately run Channel 10 television. "It could come in the next few days."
